My 2009 Hometown Hero Contest

The winner of the 2009 Hometown Hero Contest sponsored by Village Realty on the Outer Banks is Shirley Brooks-Jones.

Her nephew, R. Timothy Byrd submitted her name and the reason he felt she deserved to win a free week at the beach and be named our Hometown Hero.

"My hometown hero is my Aunt Shirley Brooks-Jones. My Aunt is always giving back in every way she can locally; however there is one story above the others which I respectfully submit. Aunt Shirley was on a plane flying home on September 11, 2001 after the towers fell and with the U.S. airspace closed she was diverted to a small town in Newfoundland. Aunt Shirley spent several days in a small community called Lewisporte which is basically a fishing village. Upon leaving Lewisporte to begin her journey home an idea came to her as she was so touched by the community’s willingness to help perfect strangers in such a time of need. She decided to start a scholarship fund for the students of this town. My Aunt took it upon herself to raise $47,000 in pledges on the plane ride home. The scholarship fund is now over a million dollars and is overseen by the Columbus Foundation in Columbus, Ohio.

"Aunt Shirley returns to Lewisporte at least twice a year now at her own expense to spend some time with those people who helped her during that time and to distribute scholarships to each and every graduating senior. There are many people who have been affected tragedies but not all make something great of their situation like my Aunt Shirley did and never ask for anything in return. This is why she is my Hometown Hero!"

Both Byrd and his Aunt live in Ohio. Ms. Brooks-Jones did not know that her nephew had nominated her and she was very surprised and happy… especially when she learned that the first prize was a free off season week at a Village Realty home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She was even more excited when she was told that her nephew would also win a free week at the beach.

There were many wonderful and touching entries and it took several days for us to choose the winner. When we called Tim Byrd he was so happy for his aunt and shocked to learn that Village Realty was also giving him a free week at the beach.

Byrd shared that his Aunt has been instrumental in his life and the lives of many, and is a very caring and giving person.

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Other Noteable Contestants:
Our 2009 Hometown Hero
First Runner Up: Janice Cline
Runner Up: Fran Ricketts
Runner Up: Maureen Kehoe

Contact Village Realty:
Phone: (800) 548-9688
Fax: (252) 480-4775
Email: E-Mail